The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-11-09


little in 1t to admire, although the Dutch
think 1t q marvel OF elegance. la these
Old Dutch cities, little mirrors turned each
way along the street are placed outside the
windows of all the houses. peculiarly ar
ranged so that my lady can 81
in her boudoir and see all tina
goes on In the street. without being
seen herself and best of all can see when
the door bell and thereby is given timely
opportunity to instruct the servant TO say
mot at home" This no doubt would be
welcome innovation TO the ladies OF Indian
epolis. On the day of my arrival OBJ
served terrible commotion around the
hotel and discovered that Ii was caused by
the arrival OF German Princess, sister OF
Hohensollern Princes OF course | stared
at them along with the rest Of the "mob,"
only to find them very ordinary looking
people / was unable to observe any OF
that divinity which doth hedge King"
or his near and dear relations. The prin-
cipal occupation of the inhabitants of
Amsterdam seems to be the cutting aud
polishing Of diamonds, this being the only
place in the world except Antwerp
great extent. The process is very inter
esting and had the good fortune to be
shown through one of the largest diamond
cutting establishments in the city. The
trade is almost entirely in the hands OF
the Jewish residents. of which there are
said to be some 80, 900 in Amsterdam. An
interesting excursion is made to Brock, a
wealthy suburban town, five miles dis
tant, famed for it peculiarities, especially
it's cleanliness. did not go out there on
this trip, but did so upon
my previous visit to Holland many years
ago and at that time the desire for
cleanliness was carried to such a ridiculous
extent, that the citizens removed their
shoes before entering their houses. and no
horses and carriages were allowed to enter
the town.
THE HAGUK, CAPITAL OF HOLLAND.
Leaving Amsterdam and passing
through Leyden and Harlem, a ride Of
thirty-six hours, and The Hague, the capital
of Holland IL reached. It Is very pretty
place, but would not amount to much il it
were not the capital. The Kings Palace Is
not an imposing structure, and the same
may be said of the Palace OF the Prince of
Orange near by. The States General or
Dutch Parliament meets in the old build
ing known as the "Buitenhof," in front of
which stands q statue to William First
Prince OF Orange. The chief place OF inter
est at the Hague is the splendid COLLECTION
of paintings 10 the Royal Museum OF the
"Maurits Huis." It's greatest attraction is
the celebrated work by Paul Potter, emit
tied the Young Bull" 1t occupies the
entire side of one room, and is valued al
500, 000. Rembrandt's famous "Anatomic.
al Lesson, !" is also in this collection. Three
miles distant from the city is the fashion
able watering place of "Sheveningen." a
popular summer resort for the nobility of
Northern Europe The drive out is along
q lovely road, called the "Voorhaut" re-
turning by the way OF the queens palace,
''the House in the Wood" The King in
bis early days was so very devoted to his
wife tina. it is said he actually paid her a
eningen that Charles H., embarked on his
return to England Ito claim his own
again" The struggling town adjoining Is
typical sberman's village, and the day
was there fish nets were spread out every
where on the grass to dry, and the fish
wives were busily engaged in mending
them.
TO BRUSSELS VIA DELFT, ROTTERDAM AND
ANTWERP.
From Hague 1t is short ride of II miles
to Rotterdam by way of Delft noted for
its pottery or ''Delftware." Rotterdam Is
the second city of the Netherlands in i'm
pOrtance and population, and Is fast be-
coming one of the great shipping ports of
Europe. But among all its ships regret
to say that the Star Spangled Banner is not
seen floating at the masthead OF any YES
sci. There is an attractive promenade
along the quay called the "Boompjes,"
built on wooden piles, and the city is d.
| vided about equally into streets and canals.
| Rotterdam was the birthplace of Erasmus,
and his house is preserved in the "kerk-
straet." Although an active business
place, there is little to interest the travel
| Ter in Rotterdam, and l am soon up and
away across the Belgian frontier and on to
| the city of Antwerp. Antwerp is a large
busy commercial city, and one OF the art
capitals of Europe, The most celebrated
paintings of the Flemish school are to be
seen here, and particularly the most re-
nowned of all the works of Rubens and Van
| DyCk. A very pretty house is still pointed
out as the house in which Rubens lived
and died. He is buried in the church of
| st. Jacques with one of his best works,
| the "Holy Family" suspended over his
| tomb The Cathedral is a magnificent
structure, and contains the most celebrated
painting of Rubens, THE Descent from
the Cross" The Crucihxion," consid-
cred the best work of Van DyCk, is IN the
Museum. Most OF the great artists OF the
Flemish school lived at Antwerp. Rubens,
Van Dyck, Teniers, Jordaens, Snyders and
Quentin Matsys were either natives
or spent the greater portion OF
their lives here. and their master
pieces are to be found in the Museum aud
different churches. A peculiar iron can
opy, made by Matsys when a blacksmith,
stands in front of the cathedral. On the
outside walls of st. Paurs church is a ps-
culiar work made by the Monks, said to
be an exact copy of Calvary" and the
SavioI's tomb.
The only place OF importance on the
road from Antwerp to Brussels (only an
hours ridel is Malines or Mechlin, almost
as famous as Brussels for its laces.
"Belgium's Capital Is of sufficient i'm
portanCe to deserve chapter unto itself
and will therefore postpone desert p
ton of Brussels until my next.
w, r.. q.
1 Tain WrerkfnE.